ARNOLD'S  MARCH 


FROM 


CAMBRIDGE  TO  QUEBEC 


BY 


Ezra  Dodge  Hine^ 


«i  • 


'  «  V      ■   t  c  J     t  ■ 


«         g      **    »    i        I    41     I'   t  I 


■  « 


«    V  ,      • 


»  t     »■ 


I  From  the  Historical  Collections  of  the  Essex  Institute 
Vol.  XXXIII,  1897.] 


Ube  Salem  Vteee 

Saleh,  Mass. 

1898. 


ARNOLD'S  MARCH 
FROM  CAMBRIDGE  TO  QUEBEC. 


BY   EZRA    DODGE    HINE8. 


"  The  hearts  that  beat  one  hundred  years  ago 
Were  players  in  a  mighty  symphony  ; 
Each  lieard  its  separate  i)art,  no  more  :  while  we, 
Who  hear  the  solemn  measures  swell  and  flow 
Confined  in  one  majestic  hymn,  bestow 
Upon  the  whole  the  name  of  history." 

In  Salem,  on  Fridiiy,  June  17,  1774,  the  session  of  the 
General  Court  is  drawing  to  a  close.  Before  the  clay  is 
(lone,  md  the  vvoi  k  is  finished,  Samuel  Adams,  that  staunch 
patriot,  has  at  last  succeeded  in  securing  the  election  of 
delegates  to  attend  the  meeting  of  the  First  Continental 
Congress,  to  he  held  in  Philadel})liia  in  September,  1774. 
One  of  the  delegates  thus  chosen  was  John  Adams,  who 

EurrouiAL  NOTE.— Tliere  are  local  traditions  connucted  with  thin  famous  march 
whicli  would  well  repay  the  lal)or  ot  tracing  out.  It  lias  alwaj-K  been  said  that 
Arnold  dined  with  a  friend  in  Salem  on  his  waveast.  Ue  seems  to  have  leftCani- 
lirldfje  about  a  day  behind  the  last  division  of  his  troops.  Naturally  the  main 
body  would  not  march  throu;rli  Salem  on  account  of  the  serious  ol)struction 
offered  to  the  movement  of  a  l)ody  of  troops  by  thi^  Beverly  Ferry.  But  the  Gen- 
eral, with  nieml)ers  of  his  stalf,  inijrht  very  well  hiive  done  so,  for  Arnold  liad 
friends  in  Saleni.  The  Mariiuis  de  CliaHtellux  records  passinj;  the  ferry  from 
Beverly  to  Salem  in  1782  "  in  two  Hat  bottomed  boids  containing'  ea(;b  six  horses" 
(K.  I.  Hist,  Coll.,  Vol.  XXX,  ])\).  i'4-5)  and  Felt  (Annals  of  Salem,  Vol.  II,  p.  520) 
says  that  "  a  detachment  ot  Arnold's  force,  destined  to  Canada,  took  dinner  at 
Salem,  September  14." 

The  lirst  battalion  wliicli  moved  out  from  tlie  (;anip  at  Oam)>ridj?e  on  the  after- 
noon of  Wednesday,  September  i:^,  marched  tluouuli  Slalden  and  Lynn,  and 
bivouaclvcd,  the  second  niKlit,  in  Upper  Beverly.  .And  it  is  thoufiht  probable 
that  the  oiien  jdain  to  the  west  of  the  iMeetln^"lIouse,  the  (;hipman  Parsonage, 
and  the  Baker  Tavern,  was  the  spot  selected.  The  second  battalioii  left  Cam- 
bridiic  on  the  morning  of  Thui'siiay  and  halted  for  the  niglit  at  I'anvcrs.  A 
level  tract  to  the  eiist  of,  and  just  ofif  Oanvcrs  Scpuire  lias  been  pointed  out  hv 
traiiition  as  their  camping  ground.  With  the  growing  activity  of  our  day  iii 
anti(|uaiian  research,  it  is  not  unlikely  that  private  letters  and  journals  "may 
come  to  light  which  will  locate  these  interesting  events  beyond  a  peradventure. 
The  press  of  the  last  century,  witli  its  provoking  reticence  in  matters  of  detail, 
offers  little  assistance.  If  our  modern  newspapers  could  borrow  a  little  of  this 
reticence  and  lend  to  the  earlier  chroniclers  something  of  the  superabundant 
loquacity  of  our  times,  a  liappy  mean  would  seem  to  be  estaldished. 

(242) 


■VUM^^i^^^ 


243  Arnold's  march  from  oambridgk  to  Quebec. 

afterwards  became  the  second  President  of  the  United 
States.  Three  days  hiter,  John  Adams,  on  his  journey 
from  Boston  to  Ipswicii,  where  he  goes  to  attend  Court, 
tarries  in  Danvers.  He  remains  tliere  over  nijjht  in  an 
inn  or  ordinary  l<ept  hy  one  John  Piemont,  whicli  stood 
upon  Danvers  square. 

Adams,  before  he  retired  for  the  night,  wrote  in  his 
diary  the  following  words —  words  whicl),  his  biograplier 
says,  are  tlie  first  that  we  have  from  him,  in  rehition  to 
his  feelings  about  his  election  as  a  delegate  to  the  coming 
Continental  convention.     He  wrote  as  follows  : 

"  Monday,  June  20,  1774. 

At  Plemont's  in  Dnnvers,  bound  for  Ipswich.  Tliere  is  a  new  and 
grand  scene  open  before  me;  a  Congress.  This  will  be  an  assembly 
of  the  wisest  men  npon  tlie  continent,  who  are  Americans  in  princi- 
ple, that  is,  against  taxation  of  Americans  by  authority  of  Parliament 
I  feel  myself  unequal  to  this  business.  A  more  extensive  knowledge 
of  the  realm,  the  colonies,  and  of  commerce,  as  well  as  of  law  and 
policy,  is  necessary,  than  I  am  master  of.  What  can  be  done?  Will 
it  be  expedient  to  propose  an  annual  Congress  of  committees?  to  pe- 
tition? Will  it  do  to  petition  at  all?  — to  the  King?  — to  the  Lords? 
—  to  the  Commons?  What  will  such  consultations  avail?  Delibera- 
tions alone  will  not  do.  We  must  petition  or  recommend  to  the  As- 
semblies to  petition,  or,  —  [and  here  is  a  pause,  —  afterwards  he  adds] 
The  ideas  of  the  people  are  as  various  as  their  faces.  One  thinks, 
no  more  petitions,  —  former  having  been  neglected  and  despised; 
some  are  for  resolves,  spirited  resolves,  and  some  are  for  bolder 
counsels. 

I  will  keep  an  exact  diary  of  my  journey,  as  well  as  a  journal  of 
the  proceedings  of  Congress." 

These  were  bold,  brave  words,  suggestive  of  the  hour; 
written  by  a  man  who  was  destined,  so  soon,  to  stand  as 
a  bright  and  shining  light,  in  the  troublous  times  then  so 
near  at  hand. 

When  the  time  came,  John  Adams  was  on  hand  and 
attended  the  convention  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  per- 
formed excellent  service  for  his  country.     He  was  after- 


Arnold's  march  from  gambridqe  to  Quebec.  244 

wards  elected  a  delegate  to  the  second  Continental  Con- 
gress, held  in  Philadel[)hia,  May,  1775,  and  while  attend- 
ing this  Congress  he,  on  Juno  14,  1775,  performed  a  very 
signal  service  for  his  countiy.  Discussing  the  question 
respecting  the  artny  in  Canihridgo  then  i)esieging  the 
British  troops  in  Boston,  he  made  a  motion,  "that  Con- 
gress would  adopt  the  Army  at  Caml)ridge,  and  appoint 
a  General  or  Commander-in-chief ;  that  thougli  this  was 
not  the  proper  time  to  nominate  a  General,  yet  he  had 
no  hesitation  to  declare,  that  he  had  but  one  gentleman  in 
his  mind  for  that  important  command,  and  that  was  a 
gentleman  from  Virginia,  who  was  among  us,  and  very 
well  known  to  all  of  us,  a  gentleman  whose  skill  and 
experience  as  an  officer,  whose  independent  fortune,  great 
talents,  and  excellent  umversal  character,  would  conunand 
the  approhaticm  of  all  America,  and  unite  the  cordial 
exertions  of  all  the  colonies,  better  tiian  any  other  person 
in  the  Union."  There  was  no  mistaking  whom  Adams 
meant.  All  eyes  were  inmiediately  turned  upon  Washing- 
ton who,  in  his  modesty,  letired  to  the  Library.  On  the 
next  day,  June  15,  1775,  George  Washington  was  chosen 
by  ballot,  unanimously,  by  the  Continental  Congress,  to 
be  General  and  Commander-in-chief  of  the  American 
army.  Wise  men  !  Wise  choice  !  On  the  assembling 
of  Congress  the  next  morning  the  President,  John  Han- 
cock,  informed  Washington  officially  of  his  appointment. 
The  acceptance  of  the  same  by  Washington  was  in  brief 
words,  but  throughout  full  of  modesty  and  humility,  show- 
ing that  he  desired  to  do  his  duty  faithfully  and  well,  but 
at  the  same  time  fearing  the  responsibility  thus  laid  up(m 
him  to  be  too  great.  Events  which  followed  show  that  the 
choice  of  the  Congress  was  a  wise  one. 

Washington's  commission  as  General  and  Commander- 
in-chief  was   dated  June  19,   1775,  two  days  after  the 


245  Arnold's  makgh  trom  Cambridge  to  qukbkc. 

Buttle  of  Blinker  Hill,  iiiid  soon  after  ho  departed  for 
Ciiinl>rid<;e,  whore  he  arrived  July  2,  1775.  Tin'  next 
day,  July  ii,  uiuU-r  the  "Great  Klin  "  near  (^anilMid<;e 
eonimoii,  which  is  still  Htandiii<r,  and  now  known  as  the 
" Wasliin<^ton  Kim,"  General  \Vashin<j;toii,  in  brief  hiit 
well  chosen  words,  took  formal  eommain]  of  the  American 
army.  The  battles  of  Lexington  and  Bunker  Hill  had 
been  fought.  The  cause  of  Massachusetts  had  become 
the  common  cause  of  all  the  colonies,  and  troops  were 
now  hastening  to  Cambridge  from  all  parts  of  the  country. 
Soon  various  plans  and  projects  were  proposed,  and 
among  others,  "The  Expedition  to  Quebec,"  or  "The 
March  of  Arnold  from  Gambridge  toQuel)ec." 

To  muleratand  better  what  is  to  follow,  the  condition 
of  Canada,  in  1775,  should  be  stated. 

Canada,  like  the  other  American  colonies,  was,  at  this 
time,  under  British  rule.  With  the  exception  of  a  few 
yeius,  Canada  had,  previous  to  1759,  been  under  French 
rule  ;  but,  since  1759,  when  the  English  conquered  Canada, 
it  had  been  an  English  colony.  In  so  far  Canada  was 
not  unlike  the  American  colonies  on  the  south.  Since  the 
English  had  come  into  possession  of  Canada  there  had 
been  a  great  deal  of  discontent  and  dissatisfaction.  Most 
of  the  inhabitants,  especially  of  that  portion  which  is  now 
called  Quebec,  were  French  people.  It  was  of  course 
obiu)xious  to  them  to  be  sulyected  to  English  rule. 
There  were,  however.  Englishmen  among  them  but  their 
number  was  small  in  comparison  with  the  large  number 
of  inhabitants.  After  the  conquest,  the  Canadians  were 
placed  at  first  under  military  rule,  and  governed  by 
English  laws.  Now,  in  1774,  the  wise  heads  in  the  Eng- 
lish government,  seeing  with  alarm  the  results  which  at- 
tended the  severe,  unjust  and  unrighteous  laws  inflicted  by 
them  upon  the  American  colonies  to  the  south  of  Canada, 


AKNOLD's  march  from  CAMBRIDGE  TO  QUEBEC.  246 

and  fearing  that  Caiuida  n)i<;ht  bo  induced  to  join  them,  and 
if  so,  that  then  English  rule  in  America  vvouhl  ho  lost  for- 
ever,—  decided  that  soniotinng  must  l)o  done  to  satisfy  and 
ploaso  the  (>anadians,  and  thus  keep  thorn  on  good  terms 
with  the  Home  Government.  The  result  of  all  this  was  the 
passage  of  the  "Quebec  Act,*'  which  was  a  very  signifi- 
cant act.  It  gave  to  the  Canadians,  among  other  things, 
—  representation,  —  the  veiy  thing  that  the  other  ("olonies 
liad  desired  for  so  lonj;  a  time. 

Tlie  act  provided  "that  Canadian  subjects  professing  the 
Catholic  faith  might  be  called  to  sit  in  the  Council  ;  that 
the  Catholic  clergy  with  the  exception  of  the  regular  orders 
should  bo  secured  in  the  enjoyments  of  their  professions, 
and  of  their  tithes  from  all  those  who  professed  their  re- 
ligion;"  and  there  were  also  other  provisions.  It  will 
roiidily  be  seen  in  this  Act,  there  is  quite  an  advance  for 
the  Canadians  from  military  rule,  and  while  all  may  not 
be  statesmen,  yet  the  ordinarily  intelligent  man,  know- 
ing the  facts,  cannot  fail  to  see  in  all  this,  that  no  great 
love  for  the  Canadians  prompted  the  Act,  but  rather  the 
necessity  existing  of  something  being  done,  and  that  some- 
thing quickly,  so  that  the  English  might  be  able  to  hold 
the  Canadians,  a>id  especially  Quebec,  the  "  Git)raltar"  of 
the  new  world.  The  Englishmen  in  Canada  were  bitter 
and  indignant  that  the  Home  Government  should  pass 
such  an  Act  and  they,  with  many  of  the  Indian  tribes,  were 
very  friendly  to  the  American  colonies. 

It  is  seen  that  in  September,  1775,  there  was  a  kindly 
feeling  shown  to  the  American  colonies  by  many  of 
the  Canadians  ;  more  than  this,  the  country  was  not  very 
well  guarded,  many  of  the  troops  having  been  sent  to 
Boston.  There  were  also  great  military  stores  in  Quebec. 
There  was  a  strong  feeling  that  the  Canadians  were  many 
of  them  in  sympathy  with  the  colonies  and  would  join 
with  them  against  the  English. 


247  arnold'h  march  fhom  oambkidok  to  qurbro. 


OAUSK    or   THR    KXI'KDITION. 

In  1775,  uf'ter  tlio  capture  of  Tie()ii(loi()<;ii  and  (-rown 
Point,  Congress  Imd  conccivod  the  idea  of  ohtainin«^  pos- 
HOHsion  of  Canada,  and  tliuii  nnitin^  tlio  whole  continent 
in  oj)po8iti(Ui  to  Great  Hritain.  This  phin  was  presented 
to  Conj^ress  hy  Benedict  Arnold  and  others,  and  after 
Washini^ton  took  command  of  the  army,  he  was  stron<j;ly 
impressed  with  the  advisability  of  such  a  movement,  and 
General  Schuyler  had  already  been  selected  to  lead  an 
army  into  C.mada  by  way  of  the  Northern  lakes.  Bene- 
dict Arnold  now  proposed  that  an  expedition  slu)nld  start 
from  Caml)rid<ie,  jjo  to  Newl)uryport,  embark  there  for 
the  month  of  the  Kennebec,  i)roceed  throu»;h  the  wilder- 
ness of  Maine,  then  over  the  Canadian  country  to  Quebec, 
and  capture  that  city  by  surprise. 

Congress  also  sent  a  conunittee  to  Gc^neral  Washington, 
to  confer  with  him  in  relation  thereto. 

TROOPS    COMPOSING   THE    KXPEDITION. 

Sept.  8,  1775,  the  foUowing  order  was  issued  by  the 
Commander-in-chief. 

"The  detachment  going  under  the  command  of  Col.  Arnold  to  be 
forthwith  taken  off  the  roll  of  duty,  and  to  march  this  evening  to 
Cambridge  Common,  where  touts  and  everything  necessary  are  pro- 
vided for  their  reception.  The  rifle  company  at  lloxbury,  and  those 
from  Prospect  Hill,  to  march  early  to-morrow  morning  to  join  the 
above  detachment.  Such  ofllcers  and  men  as  are  talten  from  General 
Green's  brigade,  for  the  above  detachment,  are  to  attend  the  muster  of 
their  respective  regiments  to-morrow  morning  at  7  o'clk.,  upon  Pros- 
pect Hill;  when  the  muster  is  finished,  they  are  forthwith  to  rejoin 
the  detachment  at  Cambridge." 

The  troops  were  arranged  in  two  battalions  and  were 
commanded  respectively  by  Lt.  Col.  Christopher  Greene, 
of  Rhode  Island,  and  Lt.  Col.  Roger  Enos,  of  Connecticut. 


AHNOLD'h    MAKCII    from    CAMDKIDGB   to   QlJiSIlKC.    248 

Tiio  first  l»ittalion  hiul  hovum  (;(>ini)!U)ie8,  mid  tho  Hec^oiid 
hIx  c<)in|)iuiiuM.  Tliuru  whh  one  Hurirtton  and  one  cluiplairi 
for  l)utli  iiattulions,  and  tho  whole  dotachtueiit  waH  under 
the  coiiiniaiid  of  Col.  Honedict  Arnold. 


DEI'AIITURE    OF   THK    FIRHT    BATTALION    FROM    CAMBRIDGE. 

On  the  afternoon  of  Wednesday,  Sept.  13,  1775,  there 
is  a  connnotion  near  Ciinihriil^e  common.  The  first  part 
of  this  little  army  is  tihout  to  .start  upon  its  march.  It  h 
to  he  a  lonj;,  a  feaiful,  and  a  perilous  journey,  hut  it  is 
well  they  know  not  what  is  hefore  them.  Had  they  known, 
it  would  have  made  their  stout  hearts  (piail.  They  do  not 
know  and  so  they  start  off  with  li<(ht  hearts  ami  cheerful 
steps.  They  soon  cross  the  old  hridfi^e  over  tho  Mystic 
river,  after  passin;^  from  Caml)rid^e  thronj^h  Clmrlcstown 
and,  journeying  alon;jf  the  old  road  in  Mcdford,  finally  reach 
Maiden  in  tho  early  evening.  Here  they  find  a  conven- 
ient spot,  and  spreading  their  white  tents  encamp  for  the 
night.  On  the  morrow  they  resume  their  march,  con- 
timiing  along  tho  old  Boston  road,  and  hefore  noon  reach 
Lynn.  Realizing  the  importance  of  the  undertaking  that 
these  men  have  entered  upon,  it  is  desired  that  the  readers 
of  this  story  hecome  ac(|uaii»t(Ml  with  them,  an<l  so  hy 
word-illustrations,  they  will  he  presented  as  they  make  a 
short  halt  in  their  march. 

Marching  down  the  side  of  the  troops,  as  they  have 
halted,  will  he  seen  a  man,  who,  the  moment  the  eye  rests 
upon  him,  will  he  recognized  as  a  bravo  fellow.  It  is 
Christopher  Greene.  lie  is  a  Rhode  Island  man,  who, 
previous  to  entering  the  army,  was  a  farmer.  By  his 
looks  it  is  seen  that  he  is  a  very  intelligent  man.  He 
has  had  tho  confidence  of  his  fellow-citizens  in  a  remark- 
able degree.     He  is  one  of  the  many  men  who  took  a  bold 


249  Arnold's  MARfH  from  Cambridge  to  Quebec. 

stand  ajjjiinat  the  King,  and  his  counsel  tended  to  encourage 
measures  for  military  defence.  Early  in  1775  he  is  com- 
missioned captain  in  a  regiment  organized  by  the  General 
Assembly  for  the  Continental  service.  He  marches  to 
Caml)ridge,  and  here  is  selected  as  rnuitenant-colonel,  and 
placed  in  command  of  this  poition  of  Arnold's  army,  and 
now  is  en  route  for  Quebec.    He  is  a  man  of  sterling  worth. 

Yonder  is  seen  an  oflScer  conversing  very  earnestly 
with  some  of  the  patriots  gathered  about  him.  His  name 
is  Timothy  Bigelow.  He  is  from  Worcester,  Mass.  He 
is  the  major  of  this  detacliment.  See  him  as  he  moves 
about — a  very  noticeable  personage.  He  is  very  tall, 
more  than  six  feet  in  height,  and  of  fine  personal  a[)pear- 
ance.  It  will  be  observed  that  his  bearing  is  erect  and 
martial,  and  his  step  niost  graceful. 

In  early  life  a  blacksmith,  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Revo- 
lution he  is  in  command  f)f  a  company  of  minute  men. 
Before  the  Revolution,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Whig 
club  which  met  in  Boston,  and  was  the  associate  of 
Warren  and  Otis.  Heconmiands  a  company  in  Col.  Jona. 
Ward's  regiment.  Under  his  unwearied  instruction  the 
company  attain  such  excellence  in  militaiy  exercises  as 
to  draw  from  AVashiuirton  on  the  first  review  :  "This  is 
discipline  indeed!"  He  possesses  a  vigorous  intellect, 
ardent  temperament,  and  a  warm  and  generous  heart. 
Look  at  him  again  and  again.  Rememl)er  him  in  the 
future. 

Look,  now  !  and  behold  a  rifle  company  under  comniMnd 
of  Cai)t.  Matthew  Smith.  This  company  have  come  all 
the  way  from  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  to  do  service  for 
their  country  ;  they  are  picked  men  —  all  large  fellows  — 
six-footers.  See  how  they  are  dressed  !  Each  man  has 
a  rifle  barrelled  gun,  a  tomahawk,  or  small  axe,  and  a 
long  knife,  usually  called  a  scalping  knife,  which  serves 

HIST.  COLL.  VOL.  XXXIII  16* 


Arnold's  march  from  cambkidgb  to  Quebec.  250 

for  all  purposes  in  the  woods.  Hla  under  dress  —  by  no 
means  in  a  military  style  —  is  covered  by  a  deep  ash- 
colored  hunting  shirt,  legirins  and  moccasins,  if  the  latter 
could  be  procured.  A  savage  dress,  indeed!  Such  men 
would  naturally  carry  terror  with  them.  It  will  be  ob- 
served that  the  ca|)tain  of  this  co.npany,  Captain  Smith,  is 
a  good-looking  fellow  and  has  the  air  of  a  soldier  but,  as 
we  listen,  he  is  found  to  be  quite  illiterate  and  very  talka- 
tive. One  cannot  fail,  however,  in  glancing  at  him,  to  be 
impressed  with  this  fact  —  that  he  is  a  man  who,  if  occasion 
require,  will  be  a  biave  fellow ;  and  in  his  company, 
walking  al)out,  are  noticed  certain  men,  who  answer  in  the 
roll  call  to  these  names  :  James  Crouch,  Richard  Dixon, 
Robert  McClure,  Lt.  Archibald  Steele,  Lt.  Michael  Simp- 
son, John  Joseph  Henry,  John  Harris,  whose  father  was 
the  founder  of  Ilarrisburg,  John  Shaefter  the  drum- 
mer, and  Sergeants  Thomas  Boyd,  Robert  Cunningham, 
and  Robert  Dixon,  and  privates  Jolm  Tidd  and  John 
McKonkey.     They  will  be  heard  from  a^^ain. 

Not  far  from  this  company  is  another  company  of  riflemen 
coming  also  from  Pennsylvania  (Cumberland  County). 
Their  dress,  it  will  be  seen,  is  like  that  of  the  company  just 
described  ;  it  will  be  noticed  that  an  officer  is  moving  about 
among  his  men  conversing  pleasantly  with  thetn.  He 
is  their  beloved  Capt.  Wm.  Hendricks.  .  One  is  attracted 
to  him  at  once.  One  has  to  look  up  he  is  so  tall,  but  in 
so  doing  the  eyes  look  upon  a  man  of  mild  and  beautiful 
countenance,  behind  which  it  is  felt  is  a  soul  animated  by 
a  genuine  spark  of  heroism. 

Go  down  the  line  still  farther  and  here  will  be  found 
a  Rhode  Island  n)an  with  his  company,  —  Capt.  Samuel 
Ward.  He  relates  that  when  hostilities  coimnenced  he 
was  just  out  of  college,  that  he  joined  the  Rhode  Isl- 
and army  of  observation  and  was  appointed  captain.    He 


251  Arnold's  march  from  cambridgk  to  quebeo. 

soon  left  for  Ciiinbridge.  His  youth  surprises  —  no  won- 
der—  he  is  the  youngest  officer  in  the  expedition. 

Next  in  line  is  Captain  John  Tophani,  also  a  Rhode 
Islander,  with  his  company.  Hearing  the  news  of  the 
Battle  of  Lexington  he  raises  a  company  and  marches  to 
Cambridge  ;  and  hero  he  is  with  his  company  bound  for 
Quebec. 

Here  also,  as  one  goes  about,  will  be  noticed  three  other 
companies  commanded  respectively  by  Captains  McCobb, 
Jonas  Hubbard,  a  Worcester  man,  and  Cai)tain  Simeon 
Thayer.  These  three  companies  with  those  previously 
descril)ed  make  up  the  first  battalion  of  Arnold's  detach- 
ment, which  battalion  having  halted  for  a  brief  time,  the 
command  is  given  to  resume  their  march  —  the  drums  beat, 
the  fifes  play,  and  they  move  on,  passing  over  the  road 
to  Danvers,  and  at  nightfall  reach  Beverly,  where  they 
halt  and  encamp  for  the  night.  Friday,  this  battalion 
marches  on  through  Wenham,  Ipswich,  RowU'y  and  New- 
bury, reaching  Newburyport  in  the  evening. 

Not  long  after  this  first  battalion  of  troops  has  passed,  Ihe 
sound  of  music  is  again  heard,  and  the  remainder  or  second 
battalion  of  Arnold's  army  —  its  rear  guard  —  is  in  sight. 
Watch  them  as  they  pass  along  in  their  haste  to  oveitake 
those  gone  before  them,  their  companions  in  this  new 
and  untried  march. 

Marching  at  their  head  is  noticed  their  lieutenant  col- 
onel, Roger  Enos,  a  man  ot  fine  presence  ;  he  is  from 
Connecticut,  and  has  seen  service  in  the  French  war.  He 
served  as  a  captain  in  Israel  Putnam's  regiment  in  1764. 
Notice  the  major  with  these  troojjs  as  he  passes  by.  He 
also  is  a  native  of  Connecticut.  He  has  always  been  a 
military  man  ;  is  just  the  man  to  undertake  this  march. 
It  will  be  interesting  to  know  something  about  him. 

Return  Jonathan  Meigs.     His  name  was  given  him  by 


Arnold's  march  from  Cambridge  to  Quebec.  252 

his  father,  — surely  nothing  strange  in  that.  Eminently 
proper  when  the  story  is  told.  His  father  when  a  young 
man,  like  many  another  young  man  before  and  since,  went 
a-courting.  He  paid  his  attentions  to  a  fair  Quakeress, 
but  was  unsuccessful  and  she  repeatedly  rejected  him, 
saying,  "  Nay,  Jonathan,  I  respect  thee  much  hut  camiot 
marry  thee."  But,  on  his  last  visit,  as  he  slowly  mounted 
his  horse,  the  relenting  lady  beckoned  to  him  to  stop, 
saying,  "  Ret  iirn  Jonathan!  Return  Jonathan!"  These, 
the  happiest  words  he  had  ever  heard,  he  gave  as  a  name 
to  his  first-born  son.  Although  named  Return,  there  is 
no  return  about  him  when  once  started  on  a  mission.  His 
face  is  set  towards  the  north,  —  towards  Quebec.  He 
means  to  reach  the  goal. 

Look  !  now,  another  rifle  company  is  passing  rapidly 
along ;  this  time  not  from  Pennsylvania  but  from  farther 
south,  from  Virginia  —  from  the  valley  of  the  Shenandoah. 
How  suggestive  the  name  !  Just  observe  their  captain, 
that  remarkable  specimen  of  m  man,  Daniel  Morgan  ;  of 
whom  Henry  says,  "  ho  was  a  large,  strong  bodied  person- 
age, whose  appearance  gave  the  idea  history  has  left  us  of 
Belisarius  —  kind  in  manners  and,  where  attached,  truly 
afli'ectionate."  He  is  six  feet  hi<jh  and  a  man  of  <;reat 
strength.  It  is  said  no  man  i)erformed  more  efficient  ser- 
vice in  the  Revolution  than  Morgan.  This  man  was  a  team- 
ster in  Braddock's  army  and,  for  some  offence  committed 
against  a  British  officer,  was  condemned  to  receive  five 
hundred  lashes,  although  he  always  jocosely  afLrmed  the 
drummer  miscounted  and  gave  him  but  four  hundred  and 
ninety-nine.  One  can  see  by  his  looks  that  he  is  a  very 
daring  man.  He  bears  upon  his  person  the  effects  of  en- 
counters with  the  Indians.  After  leaving  the  army  he 
settled  down  as  a  farmer,  and  was  rapidly  acquiring  prop- 
erty when  the  Revolution  broke  out. 


253  Arnold's  march  from  Cambridge  to  qurbec. 

He  hears  of  the  battles  of  Lexington  and  Bunker  Hill, 
and  no  longer  can  he  remain  in  his  Virginia  home.  He 
immediately  sets  about  to  raise  a  rifle  ccmipany  and  to  de- 
part for  the  scene  of  war ;  and,  in  less  than  a  week  after- 
wards, he  had  his  company  complete,  and  was  on  the  march 
to  Cambridge.  In  battle  he  was  a  fearful  man,  and  fought 
desperately  ;  his  men  loved  him,  and  their  affection  was 
his  reliance. 

With  him  of  course,  are  his  riflemen.  Mark  them  as 
they  pass  along.  They  are  the  famed  corps  from  the 
Shenandoah  valley  and  the  mountains  round  about.  It  is 
said  that  the  drum  and  life,  and  even  the  sergeant's  hard 
dollars  on  the  drum  head  would  not  have  enlisted  a  man 
of  his  corps.  It  was  like  the  devotion  of  a  Highland 
clan  to  its  chief —  Morgan  was  the  chief.  When  Morgan 
cried  "come,  boys!  who's  for  the  camp  at  Cambridge?"  the 
moinitaineers  tinned  out  to  a  man.  With  blankets  buck- 
led to  their  backs,  their  baggage,  a  supply  of  food  in  their 
pouches,  scanty  as  the  al)origiues  would  take  for  a  long 
march  —  they  grasped  their  rifles  and  strode  away  to  the 
north,  a  band  of  young  giants  for  the  combat  of  liberty. 

The  dress  of  these  riflemen  was  somewhat  different  from 
that  of  the  Pennsylvania  riflemen, — take  notice  as  they 
pass  along. 

White  or  brown  linen  hunting  shirt,  ornamented  with  a 
fringe  and  secured  by  a  belt  of  wampum  in  which  a  knife 
or  tomahawk  is  stuck  ;  leggins  and  moccasins  ornamented 
in  Indian  fashion  with  beads  and  brilliantly-dyed  porcu- 
pine quills.  On  the  pait  of  their  shirts  covering  the 
breast  are  the  words  of  Henry,  "Liberty  or  Death."  A 
round  hat  completes  their  costume  which,  it  must  be  con- 
ceded, is  to  say  the  least  warlike  and  at  the  same  time 
picturesque.     Quite  a  sight  for  the  people  of  those  days  ! 

This  is  the  Captain  Morgan,  and  this  the  rifle  company, 


Arnold's  makch  from  Cambridge  to  Quebec.   254 

whom  Washington  met  as  he  rode  about  Cambridge  to  in- 
spect the  intrenchments.  Morgan  sahited  his  commander- 
in-chief  with  the  warm  words,  "  From  the  right  bank  of  the 
Potomac,  General !"  "  From  the  Potomac  !  then  they  are 
my  old  neighbors."  He  must  shake  hands  with  them,  and 
the  brave  Washington  dismounts,  goes  along  the  lines 
and,  with  tears  upon  his  cheeks,  shakes  hands  with  the 
hardy  huntsmen  of  the  Shenandoah. 

Following,  in  quick  succession,  are  the  companies 
commanded  respectively  by  Captains  Henry  Dearborn, 
Merchant,  Williams,  Goodrich  and  Scott.  Dearborn  was 
a  noted  fellow  both  before  and  afterwards. 

There  is  a  volunteer  for  this  expedition  who  in  marching 
by  claims  one's  attention.  Who  can  he  be,  this  young 
man,  a  mere  stripling,  only  nineteen  years  of  age?  He 
is  a  grandson  of  the  great  theologian  Jonathan  Edwards  ; 
he  is  destined  when  a  man  to  be  a  Vice  President  of  the 
nation  which  is  to  be.  He  is  none  other  than  Aaron  Hurr 
—  the  gay,  the  handsome,  the  rollicking  young  Burr. 

At  the  time  of  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolutionary 
War,  he  was  at  Litchfield,  Conn.,  studying  law.  The 
drums  aroused  him.  He  writes  to  his  college  friend  Ogden, 
urging  him  to  come  quickly  to  Litchfield,  and  start  with 
him  for  the  seat  of  war.  Ogden  replied  he  could  not  at 
present,  but  while  waiting  for  Ogden  came  the  news  of  the 
Battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  Burr  could  wait  no  longer,  and 
mounting  his  horse  he  rode  in  haste  to  Elizabethtown 
where  he  aided  Ogden,  and  together  they  made  their  way 
to  the  camp  at  Cambridge.  After  a  while  in  camp  he  is 
very  sick  with  fever.  One  day  tossing  in  his  bed  he  over- 
heard Ogden  and  the  others  talking  in  the  next  room  con- 
cerning this  expedition.  He  immediately  sat  up  in  bed, 
and  declared  his  intention  to  join  in  the  march.  Ogden 
and  his  friends  remonstrated,  but  Burr,  feeble  as  he  was, 


255  Arnold's  march  from  Cambridge  to  Quebec. 

bengal!  to  dres8  himself.  His  comrades  stood  aghast  at  his 
actions.  But  no  argument,  no  i)ersuafsion,  could  move  him, 
when  his  mind  was  made  up.  Go  he  would  —  go  he  did 
(and  here  he  is  in  Lynn  on  his  way  to  Quebec).  We  shall 
hear  from  him  again  later  on.  With  him  in  thf  proces- 
sion as  it  moves  along  will  be  noticed  Ogden  and  also 
Rev.  Samuel  Spring,  the  chaplain  of  this  Jiimy,  both  of 
whom  had  been  in  college  with  Burr. 

This  second  ])attalion  follow  along  in  the  wake  of  the 
first ;  encamp  Thursday  night  in  Danvers,  Friday  night 
in  Newbury,  reaching  Newbury[)ort  Saturday    morning. 

And  now  let  us  change  the  scene.  We  iire  in  Cam- 
bridge-town. We  observe  two  men  in  very  earnest  con- 
versation. Are  they  recognized?  One  of  them  is  surely 
known.  He  is  the  commander-in-chief  of  America's 
braves,  the  beloved  Washington  ;  and  the  other,  a  short 
handsome  man,  of  a  florid  complexion.  One  must  by 
this  time  have  anticipated  who  he  is.  It  is  the  most  im- 
portant man  of  all  in  this  expedition  to  Quebr ", —  Benedict 
Arnold.  Would  that  we  might  hear  Washin^ ,  )n  give  him 
his  instructions  concerning  this  great  undertaking  which 
he  has  chosen  him  to  command.  Washington  has  the 
greatest  confidence  in  Colonel  Arnold,  and  feels  that  he  is 
intrusting  him  with  a  mission  which  he  hopes  and  believes 
will  be  of  the  most  important  service  to  the  colonies.  lUit 
now  the  hour  has  come  for  parting.  There  is  no  record 
of  just  what  was  said,  but  it  requires  but  little  imagination 
to  believe  that,  as  the  great  chief  looked  into  the  face  of 
Arnold,  it  must  have  occurred  to  him,  that  ere  they  should 
clasp  hands  again,  great  events  would  happen  ;  and  with 
sad,  yet  tender  feelings,  feelings  of  hope  and  cour- 
age, he  must  have  said  good-bye  and  wished  him  success 
in  what  he  considered  would  be  a  momentous  undertaking. 
'Tis  over,  now,  and  Arnold  on  the  morning  of  Friday, 


AKNOI,1I)'h    MAKOH    from    CAMHKIUGE    to    gUKBKC.    2i)6 

Sept.  ir)th,  mounts  his  liorso,  a  Hne  one  too, — for  he  knows 
a  f^ood  horse,  and  (loos  he  not  \v(!ll  know  how  "to  t.rn 
and  wind  a  Hery  Pegasus,  and  vviteh  the  worhl  with  noble 
horsemanship?" — and  with  liis  aids  hastens  to  Newbury- 
port,  whither  his  troops  have  preceded  him. 

The  troops  remain  in  Newburvport  three  or  four  (hiys. 
Sunday,  the  17th,  many  of  them  attend  church  services 
in  the  Old  South  Piesbyterian  Churcii,  still  standing. 
The  chaplain  of  the  exj)editi()n,  Rev.  Samuel  Spring,  dis- 
courses to  them  from  the  text :  "  Kxcej)t  thy  presence  go 
with  us,  carr}'  us  not  uj)  hence."  Burr  afterwards  spoke 
of  this  sermon,  with  high  commendation. 

Tuesday  morning,  Sept.  lilth,  the  whole  detachment 
leave  Newburyport  on  ten  transports,  and  in  the  early  af- 
ternoon sail  for  the  mouth  of  the  Ivennebec.  \N''''le  the 
transports  containing  the  troops  are  sailing  along  ^  .c  coast, 
and  before  they  reach  the  Kennebec  river,  an  ei)isode  nuist 
be  related  concerning  Burr,  which  hapi)eried  while  he 
was  at  Newburyport. 

Timothy  Edwards,  his  uncle  and  his  guardian  (for  Hurr 
it  must  be  remem})ered  is  a  minor), is  greatly  exercised  over 
Burr's  departure ;  so  much  so,  that  he  desi)atches  a 
messenger  to  Newburyport  with  orders  to  bring  him 
back  —  peacefully  if  he  can,  forcibly  if  he  nuist.  He 
finds  Burr,  and  hands  him  a  letter  from  his  uncle,  which 
commands  his  return.  Reading  it,  he  looks  coolly  up  at 
the  messenger,  and  asks  the  following  characteristic 
question  : 

"Suppose  I  refuse  to  go,  how  do  you  expect  to  take  me 
back?  If  you  were  to  attempt  it  l)v  force,  I  would  have 
you  hung  up  in  ten  minutes."  The  messenger  looks 
frightened  —  l)ut  he  has  his  lesson  well.  The  first  letter 
failing  of  its  mission  —  as  it  most  certainly  had —  he  had 
but  to  produce  a  second  letter  tor  the  inspection  of  the 


257  ahnold'k  mahcii  fuom  camuuidqe  to  qukhkc. 

youno;  iiihu.  This  was  riither  more  tender  in  its  senti- 
ments than  the  fir-tt ;  it  iiIho  eiieU)se(l  some  money.  Hurr 
was  moved  —  his  feeliii<;s,  l>ut  not  his  resolution.  Tenia 
flowed.  Ho  informed  his  unele  that  he  <_Duld  not  now 
retire  from  a  scheme  in  whicjj  his  jieart  and,  as  he  sn[)- 
posed,  his  honor  was  embarked.  The  messenj^er  departed 
to  meet  the  nnele,  and  Hmi  hastened  onward  to  Quebec. 

The  troops  are  now  at  the  mouth  of  the  Kennebec 
river,  and  thus  far  the  journey  of  these  brave  men  has 
not  been  an  arduous  one,  but  now  is  about  to  be  com- 
menced a  march  wliich,  for  courage,  clear  jrrit,  bohlness, 
bravery,  patience,  sul!"erin<r,  endurjuice  and  fortitude, 
under  the  most  trying,  and  at  times  painful  circumstances, 
stands  we  believe  without  a  ])arallel  in  the  world's  history. 
A  march  undertaken  without  an  extensive  knowledge  of 
the  country  through  which  it  led  ;  a  march  not  over  good 
roads  nor  through  a  fruit I'nl  land  ;  a  march  the  issue  of 
which  was  involviul  in  more  than  ordinary  doubt;  surely 
a  most  wonderful  march. 

Nothing  daunted,  the  brave  army  make  their  way  north- 
ward—  now  floating  in  their  bateaux  upon  the  Kenne- 
bec ;  now,  owing  to  the  rapid  currents  and  falls  of  the 
river,  leaving  the  streams,  and  with  their  boats  and  bag- 
gage marching  on  the  land,  around  these  rapids;  again 
taking  to  the  river,  soon  to  leave  it  for  the  woods  and 
marshes,  and  so  on  till  the  Dead  River  is  reached  ;  up 
that  stream,  leaving  it  to  pass  up  its  side,  and  again  glid- 
ing in  bateaux  adown  the  stream. 

Over  the  mountains  they  go  and  down  the  valleys,  then 
to  another  stream,  and  now  pushing  on  and  on  till  the 
heights  are  reached  —  the  high  lands  separating  the  wa- 
ters running  south  into  the  Atlantic  Irom  those  running 
northward  into  the  St.  Lawrence — reaching  Chaudiere 
pond;  around  this,  then  on  and  ofl"  the  Chaudiere  River, 

HI8T.  COLL.  VOL.  XXXIII  17 


Arnold's  maucii  fuom  cammkidok  to  giiKBKC.  2i>ii 

mostly  off,  on,  on,  thnm<jrli  llio  Cii.i.idiim  ('oiintry,  till 
tinHlly, — all  this  time  toot-soius  woiiry,  neiirly  fuiniHlK.'d 
with  hnn«;t>r,  cold — ehilliHl  to  tlie  very  bono,  son  ftini*: .  not 
knowinj^  vvhotluir  lifo  wiis  worlii  th(i  sfi-ivin<?  for,  and  death 
seeniin<j^  iniinin(Mit,  thi-<)n<;li  trials,  h-oul)l(>s  and  ti'il)nla- 
tions  many,  at  last  they  reach  Point  Levi  on  the  St.  Law- 
rence, opposite  and  in  sijj^ht  of  (^n(dioc,  the  object  of  their 
lonjL^  and  weary  march.  Not  discourajj^cd,  hnt  brave,  hope- 
ful and  trustful,  ready  at  any  time  to  cross  the  river,  and 
with  their  bold  conunander  Arnold  at  the  head,  they  cross 
the  St.  Lawrence  and  manih  against  the  eitadel  of  (Que- 
bec, now  aseendin":  the  |)ath  made  immortal  by  the  *jlori- 
OU8  .Mchievement  of  the  gallant  Wolfe  ;  now  upon  the  plains 
of  Abraham  demanding  the  surrender  of  the  town  ;  re- 
pidsed,  but  not  discouraged,  r<.'treating  up  the  river,  to 
Point  au  Trembles,  wjiitlng  here,  to  l>e  joined  later  by  the 
forces  under  the  command  of  the  brave  Montgomery,  and 
jointly  with  them  to  suffer  defeat —  Montgomery  dying, 
A.rnold  wounded  —  and  of  these  brave  men  many  killed, 
others  wounded,  and  some  prisoners  —  this  is  a  synopsis  of 
their  march  and  experiences,  and  it  is  so  full  of  thrilling  and 
daring  exploits,  the  best  account  which  can  be  given  is  to 
relate,  in  the  words  of  those  who  took  part,  some  of  the 
events  of  tluvt  wonderful  march. 

Having  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the  Kennebec,  the  fleet 
sail  up  the  river  to  the  ship  yard  of  Colonel  Colborn, 
where  the  vessels  were  left,  and  tin;  bateaux  provided, 
with  which  to  ascend  the  river.  The  bateaux  were  built 
at  Agry's  point  about  two  miles  below  what  is  now  Gardi- 
ner (then  called  Pittston)  and  the  residence  of  Colonel 
Colborn,  and  here  arrangements  were  made i'or  the. 'idvance 
through  the  wilds  of  Maine,  and  the  Canadian  wilderness 
to  Quebec.  Arnold's  arrangements  were  as  follows  :  he 
thought  it  advisable  to  send  as  a  vanguard  an  oflBcer  and 


251)  aunoli/h  MAurii  from  cambkidok  to  Quebec. 

sevni  men  —  for  the  purpose  of  iisccrtiilnin}^  luid  marking 
the  [)iilh8  which  were  used  by  th<*  Ituliiinfi,  iit  the  numer- 
ous carrying  phices  in  the  wilderness,  towjirds  the  head 
of  the  river,  and  also  to  ascertain  the  course  of  the  river 
Chaudiere. 

The  oflScer  chosen  by  Arnold  was  Archibald  Steele, 
a  lieutenant  in  Matthew  Smith's  company  of  riflemen. 
Arnold  allowed  him  to  select  his  men,  and  he  chose  the 
following:  Jesse  Wheeler,  George  Merchant  and  James 
Clifton,  of  Morgan's  company  of  riflemen  ;  Robert  Cun- 
ningham, Thomas  Boyd,  John  Tidd  and  John  McKonkey 
of  Captain  Smith's  compiuiy  of  riflemen  ;  John  Joseph 
Henry,  also  a  member  of  Smith's  con?i)any,  not  quite 
seventeen  years  of  age,  and  two  guides,  Jeremiah  Getchel 
and  John  Ilorne.  They  proceeded  in  two  birch-biirk 
canoes,  their  guides  l)eing  acquainted  with  the  river,  as  far 
as  the  great  carrying  place. 

The  tirst  canoe  bore  Ave  men',  with  their  arms  and  bag- 
gage, one  barrel  of  pork,  one  bag  of  meal,  and  two  hun- 
dred weight  of  biscuit.  The  other  canoe  carried  seven 
men,  their  arms,  baggage  and  provisions. 

On  Saturday,  the  23d  day  of  September,  in  the  evening, 
they  arrive  at  Fort  Halifax,  which  stands  at  the  junction 
of  the  Sebasticook  river  with  the  Kennebec  river.  Hallo- 
well  was  then  the  name  of  the  town,  now  Augusta.  From 
here  they  travel  on  and  in  a  few  days  reach  Norridge- 
wock  falls.  After  passing  the  falls  of  Norridgewock, 
they  ascend  the  river  rapidly,  blazing  every  carrying 
place,  thus  making  a  route  for  those  who  follow.  Friday, 
the  29th  of  September,  they  arrive  at  the  great  carrying 
place.  The  distance  across  to  the  Dead  river  is  from 
twelve  to  fourteen  miles.  Reaching  this  point  their 
guides  informed  them  that  they  were  not  acquainted  far- 
ther—  so  after  this  they  found   their  way  as  best  they 


AKNOLO'S    MARCH    KKOM    (lAMBHIDOK    TO    QUE»KC.    2()() 

might.  By  journoyingrt  Inird,  pcriloiiK,  diHcournging  und 
Ht  tiiiieH  wt?II  nigh  fatal,  on  Simchiy,  OcIoImm-  8th,  this 
party  roachiMl  the  height  of  land,  which  dividcH  the 
vvateiH  of  New  Enghind  from  those  of  CJanada.  On  that 
day  they  reached  a  lake  ^*un•oun<l«'d  by  high  and  craggy 
nionntains.  At  8  o'clk,  they  catne  to  th((  extreme  end  of 
the  tiflh  and  last  lake  and  on  this  lake  ohlained  a  full 
view  of  those  hills,  which  were  tluMi,  and  are  now,  called 
the  height  of  land.  They  hnrry  ashore,  draw  ont  their 
canoes,  and  cover  them  with  leaves  and  l>rusli-woo<l.  This 
done,  with  their  arms  in  their  hands  and  their  provi>ions 
in  their  pocikets,  they  make  a  race  across  the  mountain  by 
tin  Indian  path,  easily  ascertainable,  until  th(\y  arrivt;  upon 
the  bank  of  Chaudiere  river.  This  was  the  end  (»f  Ihcii' 
desires.  To  discover  and  know  the  course  of  this  river, 
was  the  extent  of  their  orders ;  beyond  this,  they  had 
nothing  to  do. 

And  now,  standing  at  the  foot  of  a  high  pine,  Steele 
usked  if  any  one  could  climb  a  tree.  Cunningham  offered 
—  climbed  the  tree,  and  from  the  top  discerned  the  course 
of  the  river  and  even  gazed  upon  the  Lake  Chaudiere, 
distant  fourteen  or  fifteen  miles.  Now  the  party,  having 
accomplished  that  for  which  they  set  out,  commenced  their 
return  march  to  meet  the  on-coming  main  army.  To  show 
some  of  the  hardshii)s  encountered  by  this  brave  band  of 
pioneers,  let  there  be  related  one  or  two  of  their  expe- 
riences on  their  return  to  the  main  army.  Their  provis- 
ions nearly  out,  and  they  nearly  famishing,  knowing  not 
what  to  do  :  —  finally,  one  of  the  i)arty  shot  a  small  duck. 
At  night  gathering  around  their  camp  fire,  they  anxiously 
discussed  the  question  how  this  duck  and  their  little  pit- 
tance of  remaining  food  could  be  most  effectually  used  to 
prolong  life.  They  decided  to  boil  the  duck  in  their  camp 
kettle,  each  man  putting  in  his  last  bit  of  pork,  and  each 
marking  his  own  by  running  through  it  a  small  wooden 


261    AUNOT.D'h    MAIiCIl    FIIOM    rAMIUtlDnR    TO    QllKHKC. 

nkewer,  miukod  with  Iuh  own  priviitr  murk.  Tlio  luoth 
so  lUiuio  w'liM  to  be  all  tlu)  Clipper  tho  poor  followH  had,  re- 
serving the  l)<)ihi<l  porU  tor  hreaUt'iiMt,  iind  tho  diu-k  to  ho 
divlihul  and  laid  by.  "  .My  app('til(\"  Hays  IltMiry,  "was as 
ravLMiouH  aH  a  wolf,  l)ut  tho  rosolution  to  take  no  more 
than  tho  broth  was  kopt."  KiHin<^  early  tho  no.xt  niorninj? 
oaoh  man  took  hi.s  mouthful  of  pork  and  breakfast  was  ovor. 
Tho  duck  was  then  soparatod  into  ton  parts,  and  dividod 
in  tho  huntoi's  usual  way  ;  —  that  is,  ono  of  tho  party, 
turninji^  hi.s  back  ;  and  thon,  Stoolo  askod  of  tho  man 
whose  back  was  turned  to  the  fragnuMits,  "  Whoso  shall 
this  be V"  The  unm  answered,  nanung  one  of  the  party. 
Ilj'ury  says  his  share  of  the  duck  was  one  of  the  thij;hs. 
Tho  day  wore  away,  the  men  hastenin;:;  on,  tho  duck  was 
eaten,  and  tho  party,  tired  out,  encamped  when  ni<rht  came 
to  sleep.  Kisin<r  next  niorninj^  they  resumed  their  march 
with  not  a  morsol  of  food.  Travollin<i:  all  the  weary  day 
they  lay  down  aj!;ain  supi)orles8. 

ilonry  also  says  that  tho  next  day,  tryinj;  to  hurry  on, 
they  ran  their  canoo  against  a  partially  sunken  tree,  which 
tore  open  the  bark  from  stem  to  stern.  Delayed  some 
hours  for  repairs,  and  utterly  exhausted  with  hunger  and 
fatigue,  and  the  main  party  some  distance  ahead, — they 
began  to  despair.  He  says  "  the  thought  came  that  the 
Almighty  had  destined  us  to  die  of  hunger  in  the  wilder- 
ness ;  —  the  tears  fell  from  my  eyes  as  I  thought  of  my 
mother  and  family  in  their  far-off  home.  But  it  was  not 
designed  that  wo  should  thus  perish,  for  soon  was  heard 
the  sharj)  crack  of  the  riHo,  followed  by  a  shout  and  a 
huzza  and,  pushing  forward,  we  saw,  to  our  great  joy, 
a  moose  deer  struggle  from  the  water,  and  fall  upon  the 
bank.  We  were  saved.  Tho  forest  shores  echoed  with 
our  shouts  of  exultation,  as  the  whole  party  gathered 
around  their  game.     Kindling  a  tire,  we  feasted." 

Another  story  about  Shieffer  the  drummer  is  told.     He 


AUNOLDV    MAHCII     FIIOM    CAMHUIIXtK   TO    giJKHRC.    2(!2 

wiiM  v(iry  noar  wif^hti'd,  and  llciiry  mxys  tlio  lau^hiiijj  ntook 
of  th«  company.  In  hoiuc  pliucM  wlion'  limy  would  crosH 
nivituvs  l»y  Hto|>|)iri<x  tVoni  oiki  Io^  to  aiiotlior,  poor  Slm'U'er 
would  very  often  tall,  dnini  and  all,  Ix'twccMi  tlio  loj;.s 
and  into  the  water,  uiucii  to  the  aiuusenuMit  of  the  hoI- 
dierrt ;  hut  notwithstanding!^  all  thin,  and  HonietinieH  he- 
in^j;  nearly  .starved,  and  at  other  tiintvs  alinont  naked,  he 
horo  his  drum  unharmed  l>y  all  its  jostlin^s,  safely  to 
(^uehee,  while  many  others,  hale  and  hearty,  died  in  the 
wilderness. 

Ijet  us  now  return  to  Koit  Western,  aiul  see  what 
has  happened  to  the  main  army,  liy  the  2.')th  of  Sep- 
tember, the  troops  had  all  reached  tin'  fort,  and  here 
Arnold  decides  that  the  troops  shall  march  in  four  divis- 
ions, and  Monday,  the  2')th,  the  first  division,  consistinjif 
of  the  three  companieH  of  ritlomen,  starts  for  (Quebec;  the 
next  day  ColoneKiri'en,  with  three  companies  of  nmsUet- 
uien,  nets  out  for  the  North  ;  and  the  following;  day, 
Wednesday,  Meijj^s,  with  the  thlid  division  of  the  army, 
conaistiiif^  of  four  companies  of  nniskctmen,  marches  for- 
ward, and  after  him  (Jolonel  lOnos  with  three  companies 
of  musketmen  C()mprl.sln<?  the  fourth  division,  start  along 
upon  their  journey,  l)rin<>;in^  up  the  rear.  Each  of  the 
four  divisions  took  with  them  forty-tivo  days'  provisions. 
After  seeing  them  dei)art, —  the  lust  boat  upon  the  river, — 
Arnold  steps  into  his  bark  canoe  and  paddled  by  Indians 
shoots  rapidly  ahead  of  the  rear  division. 

The  route  is  to  the  third  carrying  i)lace  up  the  Kenne- 
bec, tirst  to  Fort  Halifax  at  the  junction  of  the  Sebas- 
ticook  with  the  Kennebec;  here  they  found  two  block 
houses,  and  a  hirge  barrack  eiuloscd  with  a  })icket  fort. 
After  leaving  this  place  the  men  had  to  wade  in  the  water 
sometimes  up  to  their  chins,  which  of  course  was  very  un- 
comfortable to  say  the  least,  and  so  they  work  their  way 


2o3  aknold's  maucii  ficom  cambuidois  to  quebkc. 

iil<)ii<4'  sometimes  in  their  bateuux,  now  upon  the  land,  and 
iij^siin  wuilins^  in  the  water.  Soon  tliey  reach  Skowhegan 
fiills  :  here  of  course  they  have  to  leave  the  river  and  take 
to  the  land.  The  troops  still  journey  on,  and  now  the 
falls  of  Xorridgewock  are  reach(Hl.  Meigs,  in  his  journal 
says:  "at  7  o'clk.  on  the  evening  of  Octr.  8d,  a  little 
below  Xorridgewalk  my  battoe  tilled  with  water.  Here  I 
lost  my  kettle,  l)utter  and  sugar ;  a  loss  [he  says]  not  to 
be  rei)laced  hero."  The  time  has  now  arrived  when  the 
army  will  leave  behind  them  the  abode  of  man,  and  enter 
the  uninhabited  wilderness.  Col.  Arnold  comes  to  us  and 
cncam})s  with  the  men.  And  now  they  push  up  the  river, 
leaving  it  many  times  to  pass  over  the  several  carrying 
places,  until  the  Great  Carrying  place  is  reached.  This 
Great  Carrying  place  is  about  lifteen  miles  across  from  the 
Kennel )ec  river  to  the  Dead  river ;  there  are  on  the  way 
three  ponds  which  the  troops  in  their  march  have  to  cross. 
On  their  way  there  are  four  carrying  places.  To  the 
tirst  pond  three  and  three-fourths  miles — then  the  pond 
one-fourth  of  a  mile  wide  —  second  carrying  place  one 
mile,  second  pond  one-quarter  of  a  mile  wide  —  third 
carrying  place  one  mile  —  then  the  last  })ond  four  miles 
wide,  and  then  over  land  four  miles  to  the  Dead  river. 

By  the  15th  of  October  many  of  the  troops  had  reached 
the  Dead  river.  From  hero  Arnold  desi)atches  a  messen- 
ger to  parties  he  knew  in  Quebec  to  ascertain  what  he 
niijjht  concerning  the  movements  there. 

The  troops  find  the  ascent  of  the  Dead  river  very  diffi- 
cult ;  there  are  a  great  many  falls  and  carrying  places.  On 
the  24th  of  October  Thayer  says,  "  We  had  intelligence  of 
its  being  25  miles  to  the  Great  Carrying  place  where  the 
height  of  land  is,  and  in  the  mean  time  destitute  of  pro- 
visions, for  the  two  barrels  of  Hour  brought  gave  2  lbs. 
to  each  man,  and  we  only  had  a  half  pint  left  to  deliver 


AKNOLD'h    MAIUni    FUOM    CAMIJUIIXIK    TO    QUKUKC.    2()4 

out ;  besidea  the  continual  snow  Ji*?gravated  us  more,  and 
left  us  in  a  situation  not  to  be  desired."  Novv^  many  of  the 
men  are  taken  sick.  Is  it  any  wonder,  when  we  realize 
what  they  have  l)een  through?  The  river  is  very  narrow, 
and  the  walking  upon  the  land  is  exceedingly  bad.  The 
men  are  becoming  disheartened  and  many  desire  to  re- 
turn. 

Affairs  are  now  looking  diibions.  A  council  of  war  U 
held.  These  are  the  men  who  compose  it :  Colonel  Green, 
Captiiins  Topham  and  Thayer,  and  Colonel  Enos.  It  was 
held  at  the  request  of  Colonel  Eiios.  Enos  desires  to  give 
up  and  go  l)ack,  to  decide  the  inarch  a  failure,  but  the 
council  decided  acrainst  'ini.  They  resolved  that  Enos 
should  not  go  back  ;  should  not  return  ;  but  must  go  for- 
ward with  them.  It  was  decided  that  it  would  be  wronjj 
to  give  up  now  ;  that  they  must  anil  would  go  forward  at 
whatever  cost.  Does  one  realize  what  brave  men  they 
were,  what  remarkal)le  courage  they  displayed  in  this? 

Enos'  party,  who  were  six  in  niunber,  regretted  ex<!eed- 
ingly  this  action  taken  by  llieir  comrades.  So  they  hold 
another  council,  this  time  among  themselves,  and  Captains 
McCol)b,  Williams  and  Scott,  declared  they  would  return, 
and  not  rush  into  imminent  danger.  Captain  Thayer  says  : 
-^"Capt.  Williams  stepped  towards  me  and  wished  me 
success,  Init  told  me  he  never  expected  to  see  me  or  any 
of  us  again  alive  —  he  was  so  conscious  of  the  imminent 
danjier  we  were  to  i?o  throuirh.  Col.  Enos  also  advanced 
and,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  wished  me  and  mine  success, 
and  took  as  he  then  supposed  his  last  farewell  of  me." 

Just  imagine  the  parting  in  the  wilderness  between  these 
brave  men, — pathetic  it  musthav(?  been, — brave  indeed  had 
they  l>een,  those  who  now  retuin  ;  braver  they  who,  foresee- 
ing what  may  be  their  fate,  resolve  that  they  will  not  turn 
back  l)ut  will  go  forward,  let  what  will  happen.     Enos 


2rt5  aknold's  makcii  fuom  oamhimixie  to  qukukc. 

iiuil  liis  iiioii  now  coimneiice  tlii'ir  rotiini  inarch.  They  took 
with  them,  iunong  other  tilings,  provisions  ptirt  of  which 
ought  to  have  been  given  to  the  men  on  the  iidvunce.  This 
was  a  groat  Mow  to  the  troojjs  composing  the  other  divi- 
sions, ami  they  felt  it  keenly,  and  were  severe  in  their  de- 
miiicialion  of  Enos.  Colonel  Arnold,  who  was  in  advance, 
did  not  hear  of  th(!  trouble  caused  by  P]uos  for  some  time, 
and  when  he  did  learn  of  it  was  greatly  incensed.  Enos 
went  back  without  any  order  from  his  superior  officer. 
Colonel  Arnold.  Arnold's  design  was,  that  only  the 
sick  in  the  various  divisions  should  return.  Enos  finally 
reached  Cambiidge,  where  he  was  tried  by  court  martial, 
but  vviis  acquitted. 

The  troops  that  are  left  now  continue  their  march  up 
the  DeM<l  River.  As  they  move  along  the  river,  very 
often  they  are  obliged  to  leave  the  same  on  account  of 
the  many  falls;  but,  still  nothing  daunted,  they  press  (m 
and  on. 

Colonel  Arnold  now,  with  a  small  party,  pushes  ahead 
of  the  main  army,  on,  to  the  Chaudiere  lake,  and  then 
down  the  river  or  by  it  to  the  French  settlements,  in  the 
hope  of  finding  food.  Under  date  of  Oct.  27,  1775,  he 
writes  to  Colonels  Green,  Enos  and  the  captains,  "I  shall 
proceed  with  what  men  1  have  as  fast  as  possible  to  the 
inhabitants,  and  endeavor  to  procure  and  send  back  pro- 
visions.    Please  make  all  possible  dispatch.  " 

The  army  as  they  advance  soon  tindthe  rain  has  changed 
to  snow,  and  ice  has  formed  upon  the  water.  It  is  now 
with  great  difficulty  that  they  proceed  upon  their  way. 
Soon,  however,  they  reach  the  high  lands  which  separate 
the  waters  of  New  England  from  the  waters  of  Canada. 
This  was  on  October  27.  By  Octol)er  30,  the  whole 
body  of  troops  had  reached  the  Chaudiere  pond  or  lake. 
They  are  now  in  a  very  bad  condition  and  in  great  need 

HIST.  COLL.  VOL.  XXXIU  17* 


Arnold's  march  from  caimhuidgk  to  quehec.   266 

of  [nod.  At  this  pliico  JuUiii-s,  Uk;  iidiii  whom  Arnold  had 
previously  dispatched,  retunuHl,  jiiid  iiitorined  him  that 
the  French  inhiibitunts  were  rejoiced  to  hear  of  his  com- 
ing siiid  would  gladly  furnish  his  men  with  provisions. 

Arnold,  at  this  time,  writes  to  Washington  and  informs 
him  that  "the  march  thus  tar  has  been  attended  with  an 
amazing  deal  of  fatigue,  which  the  officers  and  men  have 
borne  with  cheerfulness."  He  says,  "  I  have  been  much 
deceived  in  every  account  of  our  route,  which  is  longer, 
and  has  been  attended  with  a  tiiousand  difficulties  I  never 
apprehended  ;  but,  if  crowned  with  success,  and  condu- 
cive to  the  i)ublic  good,  I  shall  think  it  trifling." 

Arnold  is  now  desirous  of  sendin<j'  a  message  to  Gen- 
eral  Montgomery  at  Montreal,  and  to  whom  does  he  in- 
trust the  message?  Why,  to  none  other  than  Aaron  Burr, 
the  young  volunteer. 

Montgomery  was  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  away 
and  Burr  alone  was  to  seek  him  and  deliver  to  him 
the  message  of  Arnold.  This  messaije  was  of  great  im- 
portance  as  it  divulged  the  future  plans  of  Arnold.  Arnold 
showed  great  confidence  in  the  ability  of  young  Burr  by 
sending  him,  ;s  he  was  al)out  to  do,  across  the  country 
and  on  such  a  critical  missicm.  In  performing  this  duty 
Burr  tirst  gave  proof  of  his  tact  and  address.  He  knew 
that  the  French  peo[)le  had  never  become  reconciled 
to  British  rule ;  he  also  knew  that  the  Catholic  clergy 
specially  abhorred  it.  Therefore,  with  this  knowledge  what 
does  he  do?  Why,  he  assumes  the  garb  and  bearing  of 
a  young  priest  and  goes  directly  to  a  religious  house  near 
the  camp  and  seeks  an  interview  with  its  chief.  He 
knows  Latin  and  French,  and  consequently  finds  no  diffi- 
culty in  conversing  fluently  with  the  venerable  priest. 
Burr  soon  perceives  that  this  old  man  is  just  the  person 
he  has  need  of,  and  feeling  safe  in  so  doing,  he  avows  his 


267  arnold'.s  .march  from  ca.mbriixjk  to  qurbkc. 

real  cimractor,  and  askei,  through  him,  aid  from  the  cleri- 
cal order  in  the  prosecution  of  his  work. 

But  what  saith  this  ancient  servant  of  God?  After 
jtjazing  in  astonishment  at  the  young  man,  lie  replies: 
"You  are  hut  a  hoy!  It  is  impossihio  for  you,  for  one 
of  your  tender  years  to  perforin  such  a  journey  as  you 
descrihe.  It  will  be  a  long  joinney  !  It  will  be  beset 
with  great  danger."  Did  Burr  answer  by  saying,  "you 
are  quite  right,  venerable  father?"  Oh,  po  !  Bim'  i  say, 
"1  am  going  forward  to  meet  General  Montgomery.  I  shall 
not  return  to  Colonel  Arnold."  The  priest,  finding  him 
determined  to  go  forward,  furnished  him  with  a  trusty 
guide,  and  one  of  the  rude  carriages  of  the  comitry. 
From  one  religious  family  to  another  the  guide  conveyed 
him  with  perfect  safety,  and  with  such  comfort  as  made 
the  journey  seem  a  holiday  excursion  com|)ared  with  the 
recent  severe  march  through  the  wiklerness.  All  went 
merry  as  a  marriage  bell ;  they  had  a  fine  time  until  they  ar- 
rived at  Three  Rivers.  Here  they  wore  interrupted;  for 
rumors  of  Arnold's  arrival  had  been  reported,  and  the 
authorities  were  on  the  lookout  to  prevent  communication 
between  the  two  armies.  Burr  was  concealed  three  days 
in  a  convent  at  Three  Rivers,  alter  which  he  and  his  guide 
proceeded,  reaching  Montreal  without  (uither  interrup- 
tion. Burr  immediately  went  to  Montgomery's  head- 
quarters, gave  the  information  with  which  he  was  charged, 
and  narrated  his  adventures.  Montgomery  received  him 
with  great  favor ;  he  was  charmed  and  delighted  with  him. 
He  showed  his  appreciation  by  making  hitn  his  aid-de- 
camp with  the  rank  of  captain. 

Turn  now  to  Arnold  and  his  army.  Arnold  has  been 
moving  ahead  of  his  men  searching  for  food,  which  he 
has  found,  and  sends  the  same  back  to  his  army,  who 
receive  it,  as  well  they  may,  with  great  joy.     Now  the 


Arnold's  makch  fhom  cambimdgk  i.    qukbkc.   2()8 

journey  is  made,  most  of  the  time,  upon  the  sides  of  the 
Chandiere  river,  it  being  impos8il)le  to  remain  loiitjr  upon 
the  river,  owing  to  the  rapids.  Many  of  the  bateaux 
weie  destroyed  soon  after  l)eing  placed  upon  the  stream. 
But  on  they  go,  and  soon  arrive  at  a  French  house,  and 
receive  hospitality  there.  It  is  the  first  house  seen  for 
many  days.  Here  they  were  well  supplied  with  fresh 
beef,  fowls,  butter  and  vegetables.  This  place  is  Sarti- 
gan.  Heie  at  Sartigan,  while  the  soldiers  were  arriving, 
a  body  of  Indians,  occupying  as  their  hunting  grounds  a 
part  of  the  territory  over  which  Arnold  had  marched, 
waited  upon  him,  and  with  all  the  formality  and  dignity 
which  characterize  an  Indian  council,  demanded  the  cause 
of  his  entering  upon  their  territory.  Arnold  made  a 
formal  reply  to  them,  and  among  other  things  he  said,  "I 
feel  myself  happy  in  meeting  with  so  many  of  my  breth- 
ren from  the  different  quarters  of  the  great  country. 
Brethren,  we  are  the  children  of  those  people  who  have 
now  taken  up  the  hatchet  against  us.  More  than  this, — 
one  hundred  years  ago  we  were  all  as  one  family.  Our 
fathers  bought  land  of  your  fathers,  and  have  grown  a 
great  people.  We  have  planted  the  ground,  and  by  our 
labor  grown  rich.  Now  a  new  king  and  hi«  wicked 
great  men  want  to  take  our  land  and  money  without  our 
consent;"  and  so  he  goes  on,  finally  telling  them  why 
he  is  here;  and  asking  help  of  them.  With  offers  of 
money  and  provisions,  he  finally  succeeds  in  persuading 
fifty  of  their  warriors  to  join  his  army,  and  they  served 
him  faithfully. 

From  here  on  to  Point  Levi,  all  through  the  Canadian 
country,  Arnold  caused  to  be  distributed  a  manifesto  from 
Washington  to  the  Canadians,  which  had  been  prepared, 
translated  into  French,  and  printed  before  the  departure 
from  Cambridge. 


269  Arnold's  makch  fuom  ca.aibuidge  to  qukbeo. 

From  Siirtigan  the  army  struggle  along,  in  any  way 
they  see  Ht,  over  snow  and  ice,  and  without  any  regard 
to  companies  or  divisions.  A  liard,  rough  journey  until, 
finally,  hy  the  10th  of  Noveml)or,  tlie  whole  of  the  army 
who  had  survived  the  [)erilous  march  through  the  wilder- 
ness, reach  Point  Levi,  opposite  and  in  sight  of  Que- 
bec, the  object  of  their  weary  and  toilsome  march. 

Arnold  remained  here  at  Point  Levi  nearly  a  week,  and 
the  first  matter  that  demanded  his  attention  was,  how 
he  should  get  his  men  across  the  St.  Lawrence  and  at- 
tack Quebec  ;  for  the  English,  having  been  informed  of  his 
near  approach,  had  burned  all  the  boats  upon  the  Point 
Levi  side  of  the  river  so  as  to  Impede  his  progress.  But 
Arnold,  with  his  accustomed  skill  and  tact,  immediately 
sent  out  into  the  country  round  about,  and  with  the  help 
of  his  Indian  allies,  succeeded  in  collecting  qtiite  a  num- 
ber of  canoes.  Now  he  must  be  on  the  alert  and  watch 
his  opportunity  to  cross  the  river,  as  there  were  a  numlier 
of  armed  vessels  on  the  river  between  Point  Levi  and 
Quebec.  Here  he  showed  great  skill  and  judgment. 
How  many  men  are  there  that,  in  the  face  of  such  obstacles, 
would  have  thought  of  crossing  the  river  under  such  cir- 
cumstances? He  watched  his  time,  and  on  the  evening 
of  Monday,  November  13,  everything  being  in  readiness 
for  embarkation,  at  nine  o'clock,  it  being  quite  dark,  the 
first  division  set  olf,  and  passing  between  the  Hunter,  an 
armed  vessel  of  fourteen  guns,  and  Quebec,  land  safely 
on  the  Quebec  side  of  the  river. 

The  boats  are  immediately  sent  back,  and  continue  to 
pass  and  repass  over  the  river  until  all  are  over,  with  the 
exception  of  a  few  soldiers  left  on  guard  at  Point  Levi. 
The  troops  land  in  Wolfe's  Cove,  so  called,  and  ascend 
the  heights  over  the  same  route  taken  by  the  gallant 
Wolfe  in  1759.     Having  reached  the  plains  of  Abraham, 


AUNOLU'8    AIAUCII    FliO.M    (  AMBKIDOK    TO    QUKBKC.   270 

the  next  day,  Tuesday,  in  the  nioniiiij^,  proper  jrnardsare 
phiced  on  the  different  roads,  so  as  to  cut  off  the  eoninin- 
nication  between  city  and  country.  Durin<;  the  day  the 
main  l)ody  inarch  upon  the  heij^hts  near  the  city,  and  <rive 
three  loud  huzzas.  In  the  eveninj^  Arnold  sends  a  tlag 
to  the  town  with  a  demand  of  the  f^arrison  in  the  name 
and  behalf  of  the  United  Colonies.  As  the  flag  ap- 
proached the  walls,  the  color  bearer  was  tired  upon,  con- 
trary to  all  rules  or  customs  upon  such  oc(!asions. 

The  troops  renuiin  here  on  the  heights  of  Abraham 
al)out  a  week,  and  here  was  the  first  blood-shed  l)e(()re 
Quebec.  It  was  in  this  way.  Sergeant  Dixon  ofCai)tain 
Smith's  rifle  company  received  a  cannon  shot  in  one  of  his 
legs.  He  was  removed  to  the  house  of  an  English  gen- 
tleman, where  amputation  took  place,  and  he  soon  after 
died,  and  was  buried  upon  the  heights.  An  incident  con- 
nected with  this  shooting  is  interesting,  showing  as  it 
does  a  strong  sentiment,  which  the  prospect  of  death  did 
not  quench.  The  lady  of  the  house  where  Dixon  was 
carried,  though  not  approving  of  the  principles  or  doings 
of  the  Americans,  was  nevertheless  very  attentive  to 
Dixon,  and  presented  him  with  a  cup  of  tea,  which  he 
declined,  saying  :  "No,  madam,  I  cannot  take  it !  It  is 
the  ruin  of  my  country."  Uttering  this  noble  sentiment, 
he  quietly  and  peacefully  passed  to  his  rest. 

Soon  the  order  is  given  to  strike  their  tents  and  de- 
camp from  the  plains,  and  early  on  the  morning  of  Nov. 
19th,  the  army  marcli  up  the  river  and  soon  after  encamp 
at  a  place  called  Point  au  Trembles,  about  seven  leagues 
from  Quebec. 

Thus  far  we  have  been  taken  along  in  imagination  with 
this  army,  and  they  have  reached  the  very  gates  of  Que- 
bec, and  then  departed  therefrom,  —  but  of  course  we 
cannot  leave  theitt,'.W.ithd;at'.niir{'atiiiig. -hew.  they  remained 


•     •    !     V  •  *    .     .  »     •  •  • 


*     k 


•     * 


•■•••..  i. .■;'.•..■ 


•  •  > 


271    AKNOLD'h    MAUCIl    FKUM    GAMBKIUGIfi    TO   (jUEBKO. 

at  their  onoampment  upon  the  river  for  a  while,  until 
joined  by  the  brave  Montfj^oinory  and  his  army  from  Mon- 
treal ;  how  togetlier  they  afterwards  moved  to  attack  (Que- 
bec ;  liow  they  laid  siege  to  the  city  ;  how,  on  that  stormy 
morning  of  the*  last  day  of  the  year  177;'),  they  made  an 
attack  upon  Quebec ;  how  the  brave  and  fearless  Mont- 
gomery was  killed  ;  how  the  impetuous  and  brave  Arnold 
was  wounded,  and  many  brave  officers  and  men  were 
killed,  and  others,  some  wounded,  and  some  prisoners; 
how,  what  was  hoped  might  l)e  a  victory,  was  turned  into 
defeat ;  all  this  happened,  and  more  —  the  half  of  which 
has  not  been,  and  cannot  here  be  told. 

We  were  defeated  !  What  would  have  been  the  future 
of  the  country  which  was  to  be,  and  of  the  man  Benedict 
Arnold?  yes,  what  of  the  man  Benedict  Arnold,  if, 
instead  of  defeat,  victory  had  perched  upon  our  banners, 
and  as  a  result  Quebec  had  fallen  into  our  hands  ? 


I  • 


"  ••!   t  •   •  I     !  •  -  • '   • 
! "  '  :  ••• .  >"  •-.•••■■ 


*     .  •  • .      .* .  I  ••...•  •  • « • 
...'.•<     .  •   • 


